tire pressure Acura RSX 2004 Owner's Manual

You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your vehicle is
equipped with airbags, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear your seat belts, and wear them
properly. (See page .)
Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in a back
seat. Infants and small children
should be restrained in a child seat.
Larger children should use a booster
and a lap/shoulder belt until theycanusethebeltproperlywithouta
booster (see page ).
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either. While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual (see page
). Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed, the greater the
risk, but serious injuries can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance (see page ).
14 1041
159
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Restrain All ChildrenDon’t Drink and Drive Be Aware of Airbag Hazards
Control Your Speed
K eep Your Vehicle in Saf e
Condition
6

This indicator has two f unctions:Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If it remains lit af ter you f ully
release the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For more inf ormation, see
page . If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more inf ormation, see page .
See page .
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
ABS. If this happens, take your
vehicle to a dealer to have it checked.
With this indicator on, your vehicle
still has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock. For more inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2.
205
204
206
208 147
Only on models equipped with ABS (see
page ) 146
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols51
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and hatch
are securely closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
1.
2.
3.
9. 8.
7. 6. 5.
4. 10.
72
6214 49
80
Preparing to Drive
Driving134

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Your authorized Acura dealer knows
your vehicle best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
skilled person to keep your warranty
in ef f ect. Keep all the receipts as
proof of completion, and have the
person who does the work f ill out the
Maintenance Record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend the use of genuine
Acura parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done.
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Acura
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you f ill the f uel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . 125
125
167
169 171
185
174
Servicing Your Vehicle
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance158

We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.Thecompactsparetirepressureis:
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold air pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
For additional technical inf ormation,
see page .Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
thesametime.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the vehicle
has been parked f or at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6
km).
Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressuresonthispage.
(Canada: RSX)
(U.S.: All models, Canada: Premium
and Type-S models)
222
Tire Size Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving
Cold Tire Pressure for
Normal Driving
Front:
Rear: Front:
Rear:
Tires
Maint enance184
P205/55R16 89V
33 psi (230 kPa ,2.3 kgf/cm
)
31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
) P195/65R15 89H
33 psi (230 kPa ,2.3 kgf/cm
)
31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)

Tire pressure f or high speed driving
is the same as f or normal driving.
If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (driven f or several
miles), you will see readings 4 to 6
psi (30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4 kgf /cm )
higher than the cold reading. This is
normal; do not release air to match
the cold pressure.
Tubeless tires have some ability to
self -seal if they are punctured. You
should look closely f or punctures if a
tire starts losing pressure.
Youshouldgetyourowntire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier f or you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.Every time you check inf lation, you
should also examine the tires f or
damage, f oreign objects, and wear.
Youshouldlookfor:
Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
youfindeitherortheseconditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see f abric or cord.
Excessive tread wear. When you
see a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide
band running across the tread,
there is less than 1/16 inch (1.6
mm) of tread lef t on the tire.
Replace the tire if you can see
threeormoretreadwear
indicators around it. In addition to proper inf lation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you f ind a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
CONT INUED
Tire Inspection
Tire Maintenance
Tires
Maint enance185
TREAD WEAR
INDICATORSINDICATOR
LOCATION
MARKS

Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your vehicle can
reduce braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy. Using tires of a
dif f erent size or construction can
cause the ABS to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires every 10,000 miles (16,000
km). Move the tires to the positions
showninthecharteachtimethey
are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
Have your dealer check the tires if
you f eel a consistent vibration while
driving. A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed f rom the
wheel. When you have new tires
installed, make sure they are
balanced. This increases riding
comf ort and tire lif e. For best results,
have the installer perform a dynamic
balance.
(Only on vehicles equipped with
aluminum wheels)
Replacing T ires
Tire Rotation
Tires
Maint enance186
NOTICE:
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels) (For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Improper wheel weights can
damage your vehicle’s aluminum
wheels. Use only genuine Acura wheel
weights f or balancing.

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .193
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 198
................................
Jump Starting .200
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 202
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 204
..........
Charging System Indicator . 205
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 206
...............
Brake System Indicator . 208
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 209
..............................................
Fuses .210
..........................
Fuse Locations .213
......................
Emergency Towing .215
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed191

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces. Use greater caution while
driving on this tire. Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Do not drive with the compact
sparetiremountedonthefront
wheels f or a long period; it will
damage the Limited Slip
Dif f erential.
Replace the compact spare tire when
you can see the tread wear indicator
bars. The replacement should be the
same size and design tire, mounted
onthesamewheel.Thesparetireis
not designed to be mounted on a
regular wheel, and the spare wheel is
not designed f or mounting a regular
tire.
Do not mount tire chains on it.
Type-S only
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed192
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)

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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation221
Capacities
Fuses
Alignment
Tires
Lights
Battery 0.0in(0mm)
0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0°00’
1.8 US qt (1.7
)
1.6 US qt (1.5)
2.9 US qt (2.7
)
6.9 US qt (6.5)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
4.8 US qt (4.5)
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V
12 V 0°45’
1°30’
P205/55R16 89V
T135/70D15 99M
T125/70D16 96M P195/65R15 89H
33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
31 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.20 kgf/cm)
Manual
transmission
fluid
Interior
Under-hood
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
Size
Pressure
Headlights
Front turn signal
Front position lights
Rear turn signal lights
Brake/Taillights
High-mount brake light
Rear side marker lights
Back-up lights
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Cargo area light
Spotlights
Glove box light
12 V 3.4 W12 V
12 V 12 V
12 V 12 V
8W 5W
8W
5W
21 W
5W
21 W
21 W/5 W
21 W
5W(Amber) 55 W
21 W
12 V 36 AH/5 HR
Capacity 55 W
12 V
12 V See page
213or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 214or the fuse box
cover.
Front/Rear
Spare
Front
Rear
Spare
High
Low
1:
2:
3:
4:Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Canadian RSX
U.S. RSX
Canadian Premium
Type-S
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. vehicles
Canadian
vehicles
Automatic trans-
mission fluid
Windshield
washer reservoir
1
2, 3, 4
1, 2, 3
4